Luck IS a Strategy

Of course it can be. Most likely not the best decision. Unfortunately a strategy more companies are taking than considering other options.

The Luck Strategists are the ones who scream for the government to bail them out when things go bad. They also typically are the ones who wait in anticipation that good days are about to arrive.

All bad strategies, unfortunately our Luck Strategists have not been exposed to tools and methodologies that could allow them to take bad situations that seem uncontrollable and make them controllable and once controllable can change the course of their business.

One industry group that definitely focuses on Luck Strategy are restaurants. In a great discussion last night according to some Toronto statistics most restaurants are operating with a net margin of 1.5%. Plus, they are looking to pay their Food Service Provider in 30 days. Most likely hoping to have some great selling days so they are a bit more flush with cash to pay outstanding invoices ... that Luck Strategy.

From a Restaurant perspective here is my problem. Ultimately the only thing the business provides is a flavour ... a flavour that they hope will attract the masses. They purchase the ingredients and if the ingredients are fresh they have a shelf life, i am going to assume for perishables 5 days. So they order the ingredients, cook the ingredients, sell a product and collect the cash (no bad debt since it is a cash on demand system) and then sit on the cash for the remaining 25 days until the invoice is due. Of course the business wants extended payment terms. Most likely the root cause is their costing model where they have allowed the ingredient cost to exceed 25-30% of their selling price.

I see it everywhere I go to eat even at Mc Donald's (which provides me with my favorite breakfast ... the Sausage Egg Mc Muffin). With my order they always include a fist full of paper napkins and a multitude of condiment packages. I always think between the napkins and condiments they have given away the profit margin.

So if Luck is not an effective Strategy what is?

You need to expose your team to new ideas, new methodologies, innovation and challenging existing paradigms. It could be a great idea to bring in "Outside Eyes", someone who does not know you, your industry or your business ... they will question everything ... they will paly the 5 Whys on you until you feel either dumb or embarrassed.

Do not feel offended by either state. Sometimes you just do not know what you do not know. This is where training, more training and allowing application of training through empowerment and delegation you and your team will find answers. Plus it is more un to invest your energy in this manner than complaining to those that do not care.

The truth is, the teams that consistently deliver strong results aren't luckier than anyone else. They're simply better equipped and well trained. They've moved beyond guesswork and intuition, replacing them with disciplined, repeatable approaches to thinking through challenges.

Build your critical thinking toolkit

This year, give yourself and your team something that actually shifts the odds in your favor: Skills. Not theory. Not abstract concepts. Practical, hands-on tools you can apply from day one.

We can help you build your practical toolkit or offer a full schedule of workshops designed to transform how your team thinks, decides, and solves together:

Situation Appraisal

How to identify, classify and prioritize problems, decisions and opportunities.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Starting with Morning Market provide a systematic approach to breaking down complex issues and choosing the right path forward with confidence.

Communication, Goal Setting and Goal Accomplishment

I love Daily Management including the additional attributes that make this methodology so extremely powerful. This requires the organization to become highly skilled at Precision Speaking and Generous Listening. Make your Plan, Work your Plan, to Meet your Numbers

Eyes for Flow and Eyes for Waste

Learning how to simply stand still to observe is powerful. More powerful is when you can quantify your observations using a waste matrix supported with a spaghetti diagram or the ultimate a very detailed Enterprise Value Stream Map.

Analytic Troubleshooting

Go deeper. Develop the analytical rigor to tackle the toughest technical challenges in many cases with simple solutions. Visual Management, Kanbans, Cellular, Chaku-Chaku, Timed Delivery Routes the list is almost endless. 

Make 2026 the year you stop relying on luck. How many formal tools reside within your organization's toolbox? Take and inventory and then be brutal at assessing them on the positive impact they can bring to your business.

Let us help you find the right fit and menu for your team.

KunstSolutions.com or contact me directly rkunst@kunstsolutions.com

Luck may be your current Strategy, but you can definitely do much better.